Exhibitors may not place anything taller than 4 feet in the front half of their exhibits, so they don't block the view from the aisle into adjacent booths. If you can get your neighbors to agree to overlook this rule, show management will usually grant you a variance. This rule is often not enforced at gift, apparel and craft shows.

Fire Regulations:

Your booth must be fire retardant according to the rules stated in your exhibitor services manual (rules vary depending on the specific venue and local fire regulations). To test your compliance, fire marshals can hold a flame to your exhibit properties for three seconds to see whether they are combustible.

Any type of fire apparatus, such as hoses or extinguishers, may not be blocked or hidden from view. Any fire apparatus will be noted on floor plans as FHC (fire hose cabinet) or FA (fire apparatus). If you're building rooms in your exhibit with ceilings, depending on the size of the area covered, the fire marshal might also require smoke alarms, additional fire extinguishers, or full sprinkler systems.

Electrical Regulations:

Before bringing your own extension cords and power strips to a show, check with the facility's electricians to see if they allow their use or if you must rent theirs. Generally, the criteria for electrical cords is that they must be Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved, 14-gauge flat (not round) wire, and grounded with a third prong. Most UL-rated power strips with surge protection are allowed, but it's always safer to ask.

Vehicles:

Vehicles on display should have less than one-eighth to one-fourth of a tank of gas. Additionally, the gas-tank filler cap must be sealed with tape to prevent vapors from escaping, both battery cables needs to be disconnected, and the vehicle must be driven on the floor by one of the GSC's material handling crew, who will keep the keys for the duration of the show. The fire marshal may also require that an extra fire extinguisher be placed near the car.

Confines of Booth:

Any and all activities you plan on conducting, such as distributing literature or demonstrating your product, must take place within the perimeter of the space you've rented, which your booth space contract and exhibitor services manual refer to as "confines of booth". This prevents exhibitors from distributing literature at the entrance to the convention center, in the convention center lobby or restaurants, or in the exhibit-hall aisles.

Sound Levels:

Sound coming from your booth space should only be audible as far as the center of the aisles surrounding your exhibit - 85 decibels or less. If you exceed this limit, show management will likely ask you to turn down the volume. If after being asked to resolve the problem, you continue to violate this rule, show management may choose to cut power to your exhibit.

Copyrighted Music:

Any music played in your booth, whether live or recorded, may be subject to copyright laws. There are three authorizing licensing organizations that collect copyright fees on behalf of the composers and publishers of the music: Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI); the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); and the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC).

After you have chosen a song, contact one of these organizations to find out which one owns the rights that specific song. You will then have to pay that organization to use the song, based on the frequency you will play it and other factors.

Exhibit Lighting:

Exhibit lighting should be directed within the boundaries of your booth space, not on the surrounding aisles, walls, or exhibits. Show management may require drawings of proposed lighting plans. Many shows prohibit flashing lights, spinning or pulsating lights, and lighting that could be potentially harmful, like lasers and ultraviolet lighting.

Quartz halogen lighting fixtures can be a fire hazard and are banned in some convention centers. The show facility may even have a different set of lighting rules than the show manager, so be aware of all restrictions before you arrive on show site.

Structural Integrity:

Exhibits should be designed to withstand some contact, including wind coming through open freight doors and minor bumps from attendees and fork trucks. Exhibits with second stories and upper decks usually have to submit floor plans for approval by both a structural engineer licensed in the state where the exhibit will be erected and the facility's structural engineer to confirm their safety and assure conformance to the local building code.

Such exhibits may also need to be rigged to the ceiling - at the exhibitor's expense - for structural stability. Some shows require drawings for any exhibits larger than 20-by-20 feet, so make sure you know if and when you need to submit your plans in order to avoid on-site hassles.

Food and Water:

If you are a food or beverage distributor, you will generally be allowed to provide small amounts (1 ounce of solid foods, 2 ounces of fluids) of your product. If you are not in the food business, check with the exclusive caterer for the convention center before distributing food items in your booth. The caterer will generally charge you a fee based on the amount of revenue it would have gained from selling the food or beverage you are distributing.

Insurance Regulations:

An increasing number of shows are requesting a Certificate of Insurance, not just from Exhibitor Appointed Contractors (EACs) but from the exhibiting company as well. They may request the policy to list as additional insured, the names of the show organizer, the facility, show management, and the official general service contractor. Standard policies are for $1 million comprehensive general liability and $250,000 in workers compensation coverage.

Suitcasing and Outboarding:

This rule prevents companies from soliciting trade show attendees without purchasing exhibit space. "Suitcasing" is selling within the exhibit hall without purchasing a booth space. "Outboarding" refers to non-exhibiting companies who attempt to piggyback off of the event by booking space near the convention center to hold meetings and events with show attendees.

Banned Items:

Show management may ban some items that are just downright messy or a nuisance to clean up, such as glitter, confetti, adhesive stickers, and popcorn. Don't plan on using helium balloons either, as they have a tendency to get loose and head straight for the ceiling.

Mylar balloons are also generally banned, as they can actually short out overhead lighting and cause fires. If you violate this regulation and distribute balloons that end up floating to the convention center's ceiling, you may be billed for the equipment and labor to remove them after the show.